Gabe Panikowski Listed On Lou Groza Award Preseason Watch List

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State kicker Gabe Panikowski is one of 30 players included on the preseason watch list for the 2025 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, announced Friday by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.

Last season's Fred Mitchell Award winner as the best non-FBS kicker in the country, Panikowski is the only player out of the 30 on the Groza watch list who did not have a single missed field goal last season.

He went 15-for-15 on field goal attempts for Idaho State as a junior in 2024, including a 55-yarder to mark the second-longest kick in the FCS that season and a walk-off road winner at Cal Poly.

One of six players from the Big 12 included on the watch list, Panikowski's 2024 accolades also included FCS first team All-America honors from the Associated Press, AFCA, Walter Camp, Sports Illustrated and Stats Perform, as well as first team All-Big Sky recognition.

Of his 15 field goals last year, three were from 20-29 yards, nine came from 30-39, one was in the 40-49 yard range and two came from more than 50 yards. He made at least one field goal in nine games and multiple kicks in three contests, including four at NAU, three against Western Oregon and two at Cal Poly.

Originally from San Diego, California, Panikowski spent the 2023 season at Riverside City College and the 2022 season at Sac State. He is a 2021 graduate of Torrey Pines High School.

The Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award will announce its 20 semifinalists on Tuesday, November 18. From that list, a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists and current NFL kickers will select the top three finalists for the award, announced on Tuesday, November 25. That group then selects the national winner, who will be announced on December 12 during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.

The 34th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl, recognizes the three finalists during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a gala awards banquet on December 8 in West Palm Beach, Florida.